Beyond investigation: Forensic accounting techniques and enforcement outcomes in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jocaf-2026.v1i2.26.58-67Keywords:
Asset recovery, Forensic accounting, Prosecution successAbstract
This study examines how data analytics and asset tracing affect asset recovery and prosecution success within Nigeria’s EFCC. The study was necessitated by the limited empirical evidence on how specific forensic accounting techniques contribute to post-investigation enforcement outcomes, particularly asset recovery and prosecution success. Anchored on Deterrence Theory, the study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The study collected primary data using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire administered to relevant EFCC personnel. Of the 157 questionnaires administered, 152 were retrieved, while 150 valid responses were retained for analysis. We used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4 to assess the measurement and structural models. The findings reveal that data analytics had a significant positive effect on asset recovery (β = 0.531, p < 0.001) but did not significantly influence prosecution success (β = 0.169, p = 0.138). Asset tracing had significant positive effects on both asset recovery (β = 0.170, p = 0.039) and prosecution success (β = 0.266, p = 0.020). Data analytics therefore emerged as the stronger predictor of asset recovery, while asset tracing was the only technique with a significant direct effect on prosecution success. The study concludes that forensic accounting techniques contribute differently to economic and legal enforcement outcomes and recommends strengthening analytical and asset-tracing capabilities while integrating them with appropriate evidential, legal and prosecutorial processes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rihanat Onize Amin, Ibrahim Yakasai Aminu, Josephine Chinelo Ene (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
